Did LeBron James Quit on the Cavs?

Can You Blame Him?
By Tony Jazz

Michael Jordan had Scottie Pippen, Bill Cartwright and Dennis Rodman throughout his illustrious career. Kobe Bryant had Shaq (in his prime), Pal Gasol and Derek Fisher. Jerry had Elaine, George and Kramer.

LeBron James had selfish point guards, Anderson Varajou, Shaq (past his prime) and a former Harlem Globetrotter.

Get the picture?

Every star needs role players. LeBron had none.

Go back to the 2007 playoffs, when the Cavaliers made their run to the NBA Finals, only to be swept by San Antonio.

LeBron averaged a near-30 points per game in that series. His supporting cast—led by an isolated, shoot-first point guard named Larry Hughes—did nothing.

If LeBron doesn't have a point guard to keep the offense in fluid motion, who is he going to rely on to handle the ball while he is getting open?

Mo Williams replaced Hughes, and did a fine job in the regular season. Then the playoffs came, and Williams' awful off-the-dribble shots turned into transition breakaways for Boston.

But the point guard play wasn't even the worst part.

LeBron never had a big man he could rely on to finish, play post-up defense, and maybe pull down a rebound or two.

The pick-and-roll offense of Orlando killed Cleveland last year in the conference finals. To defend it, they acquired one of the best pick-and-roll defenders in the game.

Too bad that was five years ago.

Today, Shaq is a broken down old guy who can't even move into position quick enough to take a charge, let alone go in and out of the blocks and switch defenders.

Finally, remember where the King is – Cleveland.

Stars are superstars in big markets. New York is a big market, Chicago is a big market, L.A. is a big market. Cleveland is no bigger than Boston Market.

It would only make sense, endorsement-wise and financially, for LeBron to jump to a bigger city. Better not just for him, but for the NBA in general.

Tanking against Boston series wasn't the star-like thing to do, but honestly, with everything LeBron has been through in six years in Cleveland, can you blame him?